Page 85 of Mystery in the Mountains

“This looks delicious. Sour cream and onion, my favorite,” she said, reaching her hand into a bag of chips.

“Esther, you’re back,” Julie said.

“Welcome home,” Abe said skeptically.

“Well, burgers are done,” Asher said, trying to smooth over the sudden awkwardness. “Your time is impeccable as always, sister.”

“What can I say? It’s a gift.”

“Go wash your hands,” Abe said to Ruby.

Ruby disappeared up the stairs.

Sunny slowly made her way to Esther, having had no chance to catch up with her since she’d been back.

She would be lying if she said she wasn’t intimidated to talk to who her, even though they’d once been best friends.

“Hey, Es, it’s really good to see you.”

A rare smile spread across her dark features before she pulled Sunny in for a hug.

“It’s really good to see you, Sunny. Did my brother finally pull his head out of his ass?”

“Well, I’m the one who need to pull their head out of their ass, but all asses and heads are where they need to be now.”

“Good. We should catch up soon.”

“Where have you been?” Abe said as he stalked over to the table.

“I told you I had some loose ends to tie up in Tennessee. Thank you so much for watching Ruby.”

“Oh, it was no trouble. We loved having her,” Julie said.

“We did, but I still have questions for you.”

“And you can keep having them.” She patted his broad chest and continued to fix her plate.

“That’s it?” Abe’s brows came together with a deep crease as he waited for his twin sister to explain her absence.

“That’s it,” she said, grinning at him.

“Well, this is a lovely family reunion. Welcome back, sis. We’re glad you’re home,” Asher said as he sat with a plate piled high with food.

Ruby came bounding out the door, softening the crease between Abe’s brow, and they all found a seat ready to eat.

“You’re back just in time for my piano recital, Mom. It’s this week on Thursday night.”

“I know. That’s part of why I was so ready to get back. I needed to see you. How’s your teacher?”

Sunny’s ears perked up. While everyone seemed to think highly of Nox, she didn’t trust him and his beady red eyes.

“Mr. Whittaker? He’s good. He was asking about you last week when he noticed you hadn’t been the one picking me up. I told him you had to go back to our old house to get stuff. Then he asked if you were married,” Ruby said in a sing-song voice.

“Ruby. We don’t need to talk about that to people,” Esther said with words laced with such finality that even Sunny pulled back at the harshness.

“I didn’t tell him anything. I just said my dad wasn’t around anymore.”

“Ruby,” Esther said with a glare.

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